Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Correction: Measuring the fitted filtration efficiency of cloth masks, medical masks and respirators
Exploring glycoform-dependent dynamic modulations in human immunoglobulin G via computational and experimental approaches
We investigate the impact of glycoform alterations on the dynamic structure of the human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) Fc region using integrated computational and experimental approaches. Four distinct IgG1-Fc glycoforms, varying in core fucosylation and nonreducing terminal galactosylation, were generated through a combination of cell engineering and in vitro enzymatic reactions. Stable-isotope-assisted NMR spectroscopy, incorporating both glycan and protein signals, revealed that galactosylation induces chemical shift perturbations extending from the glycan–protein interface to the C H 2–C H 3 domain boundary. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the absence of galactose enhances the mobility of both the glycan and the C H 2 domain, broadening the conformational landscape of the Fc quaternary structure. This increased flexibility likely contributes to a greater entropic penalty upon binding to effector molecules, which constrain the Fc in an asymmetric conformation. Conversely, the effects of fucosylation are more localized, primarily influencing the dynamics of residues involved in Fcγ receptor IIIa binding. These findings provide atomic-level insights into the distinct yet synergistic mechanisms by which galactosylation and fucosylation modulate IgG1-Fc dynamics and effector functions, offering crucial information for the optimization of therapeutic antibodies.
Digital-analog hybrid matrix multiplication processor for optical neural networks
Enhanced impact resistance of novel sustainable preplaced aggregate geopolymer concrete reinforced with steel mesh and 5D fibers
Abstract The rising demand for sustainable concrete stems from resource scarcity, environmental concerns, and structural performance needs. Preplaced Aggregate Concrete (PAC) improves durability and efficiency but requires alternative binders to lessen dependence on Portland cement. This study explores the formulation of a sustainable geopolymer grout, incorporating red clay, slag, and fly ash, to address these concerns while promoting the reutilization of industrial by-products. This study investigates the synergistic integration of steel wire mesh (SWM) and advanced 5D steel fibers (2.5% by volume) to improve the impact resistance of PAC. Five distinct mesh sizes (M40, M30, M20, M10 and M5), with diameters ranging from 75 mm to 150 mm at 25 mm intervals, were strategically placed at the mid-height of the PAC. A total of 42 mixing combinations were developed and categorized into 10 groups based on variations in steel wire mesh sizes and fiber configurations. All specimens underwent evaluation using the drop-weight impact test in conformity with ACI Committee guidelines. The innovation combines sustainable geopolymer binders with hybrid reinforcement, creating a concrete system with enhanced impact strength. Microstructural analysis was also performed on the geopolymer grout used in PAC. SWM integration in PAC notably enhances failure impact number, especially with larger diameters (150 mm), while first crack sees only slight improvement. Combining SWM with steel fibers consistently boosts both initial crack and failure by improving crack control and energy absorption. Larger SWM diameters (e.g., 150 mm) lead to more distributed failure patterns and better energy dissipation than smaller diameters (e.g., 75 mm).
Correction: Coastal environmental changes in Ninh Thuan Province, South-Central Vietnam
Autophagy activator AA-20 improves proteostasis and extends <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> lifespan
The degradation of cellular components through autophagy is essential for longevity and healthy aging. However, autophagy function decreases with aging, contributing to age-related diseases. In this study, we characterized a small-molecule activator of autophagy called AA-20 that enhances autophagy and lipid droplet clearance in human cells and in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . AA-20 reduces polyglutamine aggregation in an autophagy-dependent manner in both human cells and C. elegans , where it also promotes fitness. Consistently, we found that AA-20 extends lifespan in WT C. elegans, but not in autophagy-deficient mutants. Interestingly, our findings suggest that AA-20 acts, at least in part, through a mechanism involving the transcription factor EB, but without inhibiting the protein kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. Collectively, our results identify an autophagy activator AA-20 , which may have potential therapeutic implications for aging-related proteinopathies and lipid storage disorders.
A citrullinated histone H3 monoclonal antibody for immune modulation in sepsis
Occurrence and temporal changes of pharmaceuticals in the Warta River in Poland during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract This research aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pharmaceutical concentrations in surface water. The Warta River (western Poland) was studied at points upstream and downstream of the treated sewage outflow. Ten pharmaceuticals were analyzed in 12 sampling campaigns during the pandemic (February 2020 - April 2021), and 3 during the post-pandemic period (November 2024 - January 2025) to assess their long-term impact. The results revealed a significant increase in pharmaceutical concentrations near the outflow of treated sewage (range 1.53–20.47 µg/L), confirming that it is the main source of these micropollutants in the environment. Moreover, the concentration increase in the river, overlapped with successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. This made it possible to identify patterns of society’s behavior. During lockdowns, preventive and psychotropic drug concentrations increased in the river. These indicate that higher consumption of these pharmaceuticals maybe associated with worse mental well-being and a desire to protect against the virus. However, the concentrations of antibiotics and cardiological drugs decreased, which was linked to more difficult access to doctors and protection from the virus by avoiding the health center. During the post-pandemic period psychotropic drug concentrations increased significantly, suggesting a significant deterioration in society’s mental health.
Correction: Prediction of drug target interaction based on under sampling strategy and random forest algorithm
What people learn from punishment: A cognitive model
Authorities, from parents of toddlers to leaders of formal institutions, use punishment to communicate disapproval and enforce social norms. Ideally, from whether and how severely a transgression is punished, targets and observers infer shared social norms. Yet in light of every punitive choice, observers also evaluate the motives and legitimacy of the authority. Here, we show that the effects of punishment can only be understood by considering these inferences simultaneously. We measured human observers’ joint inferences empirically in three preregistered experiments ( N = 1 , 254 ) and developed a rational Bayesian model using an inverse planning framework that captures and explains these inferences and their interactions quantitatively and parsimoniously. When people have different priors about norms or authorities, the model predicted and we experimentally confirmed that observing punishment by the authority can sustain polarization. This work reveals the rational logic behind how people learn from punishment and a key constraint on the function of punishment in establishing shared social norms.
Keto-enol tautomerism as dynamic electron/hole traps promote charge carrier separation for hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis
An ethnographic study of sociocultural determinants and health system gaps in chronic venous disease in Calabria
Abstract Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) is a highly prevalent condition often explored through a biomedical lens, emphasizing pathophysiology and clinical management. However, less attention has been paid to the sociocultural dimensions that shape its perception, experience, and treatment. This ethnographic study investigates how social, cultural, and structural factors influence CVD outcomes in Calabria, a historically underserved region in Southern Italy. Through participant observation and in-depth interviews with patients, caregivers, and community health workers, this paper reveals patterns of delayed diagnosis, stigma, and therapeutic non-compliance tied to cultural beliefs, gender dynamics, and systemic healthcare gaps. Findings suggest the need for culturally embedded interventions and health policies that recognize the lived realities of CVD patients. This study contributes to the emerging intersection of anthropology and preventive medicine, reinforcing the importance of viewing chronic diseases within their broader sociocultural contexts.
Development, feasibility, and acceptability of a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment of minority stress and suicidal ideation among sexual and gender minority youth
Objective We sought to develop and assess the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study of minority stress and suicidal ideation intensity among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) in the US Southeast. Methods In Study 1, the EMA protocol was developed through an iterative process, incorporating qualitative input from focus groups and interviews with 16 parents of SGMY and 16 SGMY from the US Southeast as well as six clinicians and researchers. In Study 2, 50 SGMY aged 13–24 with past-year suicidal ideation and current depressive symptoms were recruited from the US Southeast. The study included a baseline assessment, 28 consecutive days of EMA surveys (3x per day), a weekly acceptability survey, and a post-study exit interview. Results In Study 1, qualitative feedback guided the selection, adaptation, and development of EMA measures and informed study features including the EMA schedule, reminder notifications, incentive structure, and the safety and risk monitoring protocol. In Study 2, the EMA protocol demonstrated feasibility through high compliance with the EMA survey (M = 80.21%, SD = 16.92%, Mdn = 83.93%, range = 38.10%−100.00%) with some variation over time and by participant age. Weekly feedback surveys indicated high acceptability, with participants reporting that the EMA surveys were easy to complete and private, understandable, minimally burdensome, and at least moderately engaging. Exit interviews revealed several themes, including facilitators of high engagement, barriers to engagement, intervention implications, and suggested improvements for future EMA studies. Conclusions Smartphone-based EMA is a feasible and acceptable method for studying real-time experiences of minority stress and suicidal ideation intensity among SGMY at high risk. Incorporating community member feedback during EMA study development can help to ensure cultural responsiveness and enhance participant compliance. This paper provides practical guidance for researchers planning to conduct EMA suicide research with SGMY.
A 75,000-y-old Scandinavian Arctic cave deposit reveals past faunal diversity and paleoenvironment
During the last glacial period (~118 to 11.7 ka), the Arctic has been characterized by a major redistribution of flora and fauna as a consequence of extreme climatic fluctuations, with associated glacial advances and retreats, sea-level changes, and shifting sea ice extent. In the high-latitude regions of Northern Europe that are currently subject to rapid climate warming, we lack a comprehensive understanding of faunal biodiversity in the last glacial period due to the extreme rarity of preserved organic remains. Here, we present a stratified sediment deposit with a diverse faunal composition preserved in a bone-bearing layer in Arne Qvamgrotta, part of the Storsteinhola cave system (68.10° N 16.38° E) in Northern Norway. Chronological analyses of sediments and bones including radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence, uranium–thorium, and phylogenetic dating place the faunal assemblage in Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a, Odderade interstadial, ~85 to 71 ka). Combining comparative osteology and bulk-bone metabarcoding, we identify 46 taxa, including mammals, birds, and fish, with several species not previously found in Fennoscandia. The fauna implies a nonanalogous cold-adapted coastal community, with close proximity to sea ice and nearby freshwater bodies. Mitogenome analyses of a subset of taxa identify extinct lineages which attest to a lack of habitat tracking and the absence of a local refugium during the subsequent fully glaciated periods. This faunal record demonstrates long-term faunal dynamics and coastal environmental conditions during MIS 5a in the European Arctic.
Addendum: Unified framework for open quantum dynamics with memory
Abstract This Addendum presents a detailed analysis of the discretization error in time-integration and time-derivative that appear in the Nakajima-Zwanzig equation. This was brought to our attention by Makri et al. [arXiv:2410.08239]. Our analysis in the Addendum shows that the relationship derived in our earlier work [Nat. Commun. 15, 8087 (2024)] is valid within the choice of discretization and is not contaminated by the discretization error.
miRNA-204-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by inhibiting cell migration, invasion, and glycolysis via the RAB22A/PI3K/AKT axis
Exploring the relationship between extracurricular activities and stress levels among university students: A cross-sectional study
Background Extracurricular activities (ECA) offer students valuable opportunities to engage in nonacademic pursuits, which can be a powerful strategy for managing stress and achieving a balanced life. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of stress among students from the American University of Beirut (AUB), and examine the association between ECA and stress levels. Methods A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey was conducted among AUB students in Lebanon during the spring 2024 semester. Stress levels were evaluated using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a validated screening tool. The questionnaire also included general questions about students’ participation in ECA. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the association between ECA and stress levels, and to investigate which socio-demographic characteristics are associated with stress levels. Results A total of 365 students completed the questionnaire. Findings showed that 71.5% of students experienced symptoms of moderate stress and 38.6% of the participants reported being involved in ECA at AUB. Our results indicated a significant association between perceived stress and participation in ECA. Students who did not participate in ECA had higher odds of experiencing stress compared to those who did (OR= 2.628, p = 0.031). Additionally, the models identified three more correlates of stress. Male students had lower odds of experiencing moderate stress than female students (OR=0.371, p = 0.008). Students who studied 10–15 hours per week had higher odds of experiencing moderate stress compared to those who studied 15 or more hours per week (OR=3.157, p = 0.043). Finally, unemployed students had higher odds of experiencing high stress compared to employed students (OR= 5.191, p < 0.001). Conclusions This study revealed alarming stress levels among university students in Lebanon. The findings suggest that encouraging ECA participation is essential for enhancing student well-being.
Small lakes are suffocating as winters warm
A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters
Abstract The upcycling of waste polyesters into high-value chemicals offers a sustainable and economically viable solution to the global plastic waste crisis. Herein, we report a general esterolysis strategy for the efficient depolymerization of polyesters to produce high-value ester products, utilizing a broad range of esters, including carboxylates, carbonates, and C/Si/Ti/P-based esters. Using the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as a highly effective catalyst, polyethylene terephthalate is selectively converted into dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene carbonate with remarkable yields of 99% and 90%, respectively. Mechanistic studies reveal that methanol, generated in situ via the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate-catalyzed hydrolysis of dimethyl carbonate, drives the cleavage of C–O ester bonds in polyethylene terephthalate. This strategy demonstrates broad applicability, achieving high conversion efficiencies across various mixed and colored commercial waste polyesters. The energy efficiency and versatility of this approach establish a transformative route to diverse high-value esters, advancing the development of circular plastic economies and sustainable chemistry.